Crime

Nigerian Pastor Sentenced in US Over COVID-19 Relief Fraud; Osun Monarch Forfeits Property

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 5th, 2025.

Nigerian Pastor Sentenced in US Over COVID-19 Relief Fraud; Osun Monarch Forfeits Property

Edward Oluwasanmi, a Nigerian pastor, has been handed a 27-month prison sentence by a US District Court after being found guilty of defrauding COVID-19 relief funds. His associate, Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, has forfeited assets to the US government as he awaits his sentencing, set for August 1.

The two were arrested earlier in 2024 on accusations of fraudulently obtaining $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief aid. They faced several charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conducting financial transactions involving illegal proceeds.

Their trial was overseen by Judge Christopher Boyko at the US District Court in Ohio. Both men pleaded guilty to some of the charges as part of a plea deal.

On July 2, Judge Boyko sentenced Oluwasanmi to serve 27 months, with sentences for different counts running concurrently. Oluwasanmi was also fined $15,000 and ordered to surrender to the U.S. Marshal Service. He will undergo a three-year supervised release period following his imprisonment, subject to standard and special conditions.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of all properties linked to the criminal activities, including proceeds from wire fraud and money laundering. One such property is a commercial building located at 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio, which will be confiscated from Oluwasanmi.

Oba Oloyede, who pleaded guilty in April to several charges, will face sentencing on August 1. The monarch, an accountant and IT professional based in the US and installed as Apetu in July 2019, allegedly used his companies—Available Tax Services Incorporated, Available Financial Corporation, and Available Transportation Company—to carry out the fraudulent acts.

The men were accused of submitting fraudulent applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) between April 2020 and February 2022. They reportedly used forged tax and payroll documents to unlawfully obtain funds meant to assist businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

These relief programs, created under the US CARES Act, were intended to provide urgent financial assistance to businesses suffering economic hardship due to the pandemic, including grants of up to $10,000 for qualifying small enterprises.

Following Oba Oloyede’s disappearance from his palace, the Osun State Government said it would await the outcome of his court proceedings before taking any further steps. The government also promised to investigate his absence thoroughly.

Kolapo Alimi, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, emphasized that Oloyede remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, urging patience and respect for the judicial process.